SC says Jharkhand coal block auction to be subject to its orders

The Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice of India SA Bobde today said that any subsequent order with respect to the Jharkhand coal block auction will be provisional for now, and subject to the top court's orders.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday said that any action taken by the Centre with respect to the Jharkhand coal block auction, will be subject to its orders.

The apex court bench led by Chief Justice of India SA Bobde, was hearing a petition filed by the Jharkhand state government against the Centre's decision of auctioning coal blocks of the state for commercial mining, and seeking its postponement to maximise the revenues.

During the hearing today, the court said that any subsequent order regarding license, lease, etc, shall be provisional for now and subject to the court's orders. The apex court also asked the Centre to inform all the bidders about it.

The Centre assured the court that in the meantime, there will be no mining and no trees will be cut without the court's permission.

During the hearing, issues were also raised regarding the environmental impact of the Centre's decision.

The court had also proposed the setting up of a committee which could give its report on the environmental impact in a month and said that till then, the auction could be stayed.

However, Attorney General of India, KK Venugopal, had opposed the plea saying that it could hamper the government's efforts to rebuild the economy.

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He had also assured the court that all necessary clearances including that of the environment were in place and had sought a day's time to place that on record.

The auction under which 19 coal blocks would go under the hammer will continue for eight days, from November 2-9, according to the latest calendar for electronic auction of the coal ministry.

In June, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the auction process for 41 coal blocks for commercial mining, a move that opens India's coal sector to private players, and termed it a major step in the direction of India achieving self-reliance.

The auction of coal blocks for commercial mining is expected to garner Rs 33,000 crore of capital investment over the next five to seven years.

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